EP0737440A1 - Appareil d'évaluation d'os - Google Patents

Appareil d'évaluation d'os Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0737440A1
EP0737440A1 EP96105586A EP96105586A EP0737440A1 EP 0737440 A1 EP0737440 A1 EP 0737440A1 EP 96105586 A EP96105586 A EP 96105586A EP 96105586 A EP96105586 A EP 96105586A EP 0737440 A1 EP0737440 A1 EP 0737440A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
adapter
measuring unit
transducers
examined
adapters
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP96105586A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0737440B1 (fr
Inventor
Naoki Ohtomo
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Hitachi Aloka Medical Ltd
Original Assignee
Aloka Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Aloka Co Ltd filed Critical Aloka Co Ltd
Publication of EP0737440A1 publication Critical patent/EP0737440A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0737440B1 publication Critical patent/EP0737440B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/08—Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings
    • A61B8/0875—Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings for diagnosis of bone

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a bone assessment apparatus for diagnosing the physical properties and integrity of a member such as a bone using ultrasound (ultrasonic waves).
  • a pair of ultrasonic transducers are fixedly positioned at opposite sides of a foot supporting plate.
  • the height of the ultrasonic transducers is determined in accordance with a the average height of a calcaneus.
  • the ultrasonic transducers transmit and receive ultrasonic waves therebetween when a foot is in position on the foot supporting plate, thereby monitoring the physical properties and integrity of the calcaneus on the basis of the speed, attenuation and so on of the ultrasonic waves.
  • X-rays can be used for this purpose so as to diagnose the calcaneus.
  • Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication Hei 6-22,960 proposes a bone assessment apparatus including a unit for scanning measurement waves.
  • the present invention is aimed at providing an apparatus which allows a pair of stationary transducers to be adjustable in accordance with a member (e.g. a calcaneus) to be examined of a patient. Further, the present invention is intended to assure reliable and accurate bone assessment.
  • a member e.g. a calcaneus
  • a bone assessment apparatus comprising: a measuring unit; a pair of opposed spaced transducers, one functioning as a transmitter and the other functioning as a receiver, the transducers being positioned on the measuring unit at a predetermined height; and a plurality of adapters for positioning the member to be examined with respect to the measuring waves, the adapters being freely exchangeable and having different shapes.
  • one adapter is selected, and is mounted on the measuring unit.
  • the adapter is used to position the member to be examined, with respect to the ultrasonic waves.
  • the adapters have different sizes and shapes in accordance with the sizes of the members to be examined.
  • the measuring point can be accurately determined for the member to be examined in accordance with the position of the transducers.
  • the transducers are preferably ultrasonic transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves.
  • the member to be examined is typically a heel (calcaneus) of a patient.
  • Each of the adapters includes an adapter base coming in contact with the bottom surface of a foot, and a holder for holding the heel.
  • the holder stands upright from one end of the adapter base.
  • the adapter bases and the holders have different thicknesses.
  • the adapters have guide marks thereon, which are compared with a reference portion of the member to be examined. An appropriate adapter can be selected using the guide mark.
  • the guide mark is on the upper surface of the adapter base, for example, the position to which the toes of the patient should extend.
  • the measuring unit preferably includes an adapter identifying section for identifying an adapter which is actually mounted thereon.
  • the measuring unit further includes a database in which identification codes of patients and adapter identification numbers are associated, and a judging unit for comparing results obtained by the adapter identifying section and contents of the database, and checking whether or not an adapter actually mounted on the measuring unit is suitable for the member to be examined.
  • a bone assessment apparatus is configured as shown in Fig. 8, and comprises two main parts, a measuring unit 10 and a control operation unit 30.
  • the measuring unit 10 includes a sloped top 10A for receiving an L-shaped adapter 26 thereon.
  • the adapter 26 is detachable from the sloped top 10A.
  • a pair of ultrasonic transducers 14 are opposed and spaced at the side edges of the measuring unit 10, and at a predetermined height therefrom.
  • the ultrasonic transducers 14 transmit and receive ultrasonic waves therebetween.
  • the physical properties, integrity and so on of the calcaneus are analyzed on the basis of the state of the ultrasonic waves after passing through the member to be examined.
  • a space between the two ultrasonic transducers 14 is adjustable using a carrying mechanism (not shown), so the heel is sandwiched between the two ultrasonic transducers 14.
  • Figs. 2 and 3 show a comparison between an adult's foot placed on a fixed support plate 12, and a child's foot placed on the same fixed support plate 12.
  • a position 20 of the ultrasonic transducers 14 is coincident with the center of the adult's calcaneus.
  • the position 20 is quite far from the center of the child's calcaneus, as shown in Fig. 3. In this case, it is impossible to precisely analyze the child's calcaneus.
  • the invention includes freely exchangeable adapter 26.
  • An optimum adapter can be selected out of adapters having different sizes in accordance with a size of the member to be examined.
  • the adult's adapter is structured as shown in Fig. 4, and is mounted on the measuring unit 10 as shown in Fig. 5.
  • the child's adapter is structured and is mounted on the measuring unit 10 as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, respectively.
  • the adapters 26 and 126 respectively include flat adapter bases 26A and 126A, and heel holders 26B and 126B extending upward from the adapter bases 26A and 126A.
  • the adapters 26 and 126 have an "L" shape. The bottom surface of the foot is placed on the top of the adapter base 26A or 126A, and the rear edge of the foot is in contact with the inner surface of the heel holder 26B or 126B.
  • the top 10A of the measuring unit 10 is sloped in such a manner that the heel is positioned lower than the toes.
  • a bent portion 26C or 126C is at the lower part of the adapter 26 or 126.
  • the heel naturally fits into the correct position on the bent portion 26C or 126C.
  • the adapter base 26A and the heel holder 26B are thinner than the adapter base 126A and the heel holder 126B of the child's adapter 126.
  • the adapters 26 and 126 have different shapes.
  • the adapter 26 is selected so as to examine adults' heels, while the adapter 126 is selected to examine children's heels (or smaller feet).
  • the adapter 26 is selected so as to examine adults' heels, while the adapter 126 is selected to examine children's heels (or smaller feet).
  • the adults' and children's adapters can be made available in different shapes and sizes, e.g. 5 types of adapters could be prepared. If necessary, adapters for both the left and right foot may be prepared.
  • an under projection 126D is formed under the adapter base 126A, and the measuring unit 10 has a keyway 10B.
  • the projection 126D fits into the keyway 10B. All the adapters 26, 126 have the projections 126D, respectively. This arrangement enables a selected adapter to be easily set on the measuring unit 10.
  • Guide marks 28 and 128 are placed on the adapter bases 26A and 126A, respectively.
  • Each of the guide marks 28 and 128 includes a longitudinal line and a lateral line intersecting the longitudinal line.
  • the longitudinal line serves as a center line while the lateral line serves as the criteria for selecting an optimum adapter.
  • an adapter will be selected such that the toes reach the lateral line when the heel comes into contact with the bent portion 26C.
  • the selected adapter will be used to determine the center of the calcaneus with respect to the ultrasonic transducers.
  • Fig. 8 shows the overall configuration of the bone assessment apparatus, which mainly comprises the measuring unit 10 and the control operation unit 30 as described above.
  • the measuring unit 10 receives the adapter thereon.
  • the ultrasonic transducers, and associated transmitter and receiver circuits are not shown in Fig. 8.
  • an adapter identifying section 32 identifies a mounted adapter magnetically, optically, electrically or mechanically.
  • a sensor such as a reed switch or an optical switch may be usable.
  • the control operation unit 30 includes a controller 34, an arithmetic section 36, an input section 38, a display 42 and a memory 40.
  • the controller 34 controls the operation of the measuring unit 10, and has a transmitter circuit, a receiver circuit, and a control circuit.
  • the arithmetic section 36 calculates values indicative of an analyzed bone, and has a determining section 44.
  • the adapter identifying section 32 provides the arithmetic section 36 with a signal indicative of the identified adapter via the controller 34.
  • the determining section 44 determines whether or not the selected adapter is acceptable for the member to be examined.
  • the input section 38 is a keyboard or the like, and is used to enter a patient's identification code ID and so on.
  • the memory 40 has a database as shown in Fig. 9.
  • the display 42 indicates various data including a warning if the determining section 44 determines that the selected adapter is not appropriate.
  • Fig. 9 shows the data base stored in the memory 40.
  • a patient identification code In the data base, a patient identification code, a date and time of measurement, and adapter number are each associated with one another. Specifically, when the adapter code is identified by the adapter identifying section 32, it will be associated with the patient identification code ID.
  • the determining section 44 determines whether or not the read adapter number agrees with the adapter number identified by the identifying section 32. If they are not in agreement with each other, a warning will be displayed on the display 42.
  • the bone assessment apparatus enables an optimum adapter to be selected for a patient in accordance with his foot size, so the ultrasonic waves can accurately pass through the calcaneus.
  • the guide marks on the adapter facilitate the selection of a suitable adapter.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Surgery (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
  • Rheumatology (AREA)
  • Ultra Sonic Daignosis Equipment (AREA)
EP96105586A 1995-04-10 1996-04-09 Appareil d'évaluation d'os Expired - Lifetime EP0737440B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP7083703A JP2909405B2 (ja) 1995-04-10 1995-04-10 骨評価装置
JP8370395 1995-04-10
JP83703/95 1995-04-10

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0737440A1 true EP0737440A1 (fr) 1996-10-16
EP0737440B1 EP0737440B1 (fr) 2002-07-10

Family

ID=13809862

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96105586A Expired - Lifetime EP0737440B1 (fr) 1995-04-10 1996-04-09 Appareil d'évaluation d'os

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US5713361A (fr)
EP (1) EP0737440B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2909405B2 (fr)
KR (1) KR100404429B1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69622215T2 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0786232A2 (fr) * 1996-01-29 1997-07-30 Aloka Co., Ltd. Appareil d'évaluation d'os
CN106163411A (zh) * 2014-04-22 2016-11-23 株式会社日立制作所 超声波骨评价装置

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2878168B2 (ja) * 1995-12-11 1999-04-05 アロカ株式会社 骨評価装置
JP4690092B2 (ja) * 2005-04-04 2011-06-01 古野電気株式会社 超音波骨評価装置
CN101199429B (zh) * 2006-12-13 2012-06-06 计算机逻辑公司 超声波骨评估的方法和装置
US9615814B2 (en) * 2006-12-13 2017-04-11 Cyberlogic, Inc. Ultrasonic bone assessment apparatus and method
US7901356B2 (en) * 2006-12-13 2011-03-08 Cyberlogic, Inc. Ultrasonic bone assessment apparatus and method
CN102008320B (zh) * 2010-12-08 2012-10-24 中国科学院合肥物质科学研究院 全干固态耦合式跟骨超声骨强度指数检测方法

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2257253A (en) * 1991-06-17 1993-01-06 Christian Mcdonald Langton Ultrasound bone analyser
EP0576217A1 (fr) * 1992-06-22 1993-12-29 MCCUE ULTRASONICS Ltd. Dispositif à ultrasons pour l'analyse des os

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES170737Y (es) * 1970-07-28 1972-07-01 I.G.I., S.P.A. Una horma de prueba para zapatos.
US5349959A (en) * 1988-05-11 1994-09-27 Lunar Corporation Ultrasonic densitometer device and method
US5343863A (en) * 1988-05-11 1994-09-06 Lunar Corporation Ultrasonic densitometer device and method
US5335661A (en) * 1993-02-17 1994-08-09 Koblanski John N Ultrasonic scanning apparatus
US5535750A (en) * 1994-09-30 1996-07-16 Kabushiki Kaisha Ishikawa Seisakusho, Ltd. Method and apparatus for evaluating the progress of osteoporosis by ultrasonic signals

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2257253A (en) * 1991-06-17 1993-01-06 Christian Mcdonald Langton Ultrasound bone analyser
EP0576217A1 (fr) * 1992-06-22 1993-12-29 MCCUE ULTRASONICS Ltd. Dispositif à ultrasons pour l'analyse des os

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0786232A2 (fr) * 1996-01-29 1997-07-30 Aloka Co., Ltd. Appareil d'évaluation d'os
EP0786232A3 (fr) * 1996-01-29 1998-04-29 Aloka Co., Ltd. Appareil d'évaluation d'os
US5895357A (en) * 1996-01-29 1999-04-20 Aloka Co., Ltd. Bone assessment apparatus
US6095979A (en) * 1996-01-29 2000-08-01 Aloka Co., Ltd. Bone assessment apparatus
EP1219245A2 (fr) * 1996-01-29 2002-07-03 Aloka Co. Ltd. Apareil d'évaluation d'os
EP1219245A3 (fr) * 1996-01-29 2002-07-24 Aloka Co. Ltd. Apareil d'évaluation d'os
CN106163411A (zh) * 2014-04-22 2016-11-23 株式会社日立制作所 超声波骨评价装置
CN106163411B (zh) * 2014-04-22 2019-07-16 株式会社日立制作所 超声波骨评价装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR960037146A (ko) 1996-11-19
JPH08280670A (ja) 1996-10-29
KR100404429B1 (ko) 2004-02-11
US5713361A (en) 1998-02-03
JP2909405B2 (ja) 1999-06-23
EP0737440B1 (fr) 2002-07-10
DE69622215T2 (de) 2003-03-13
DE69622215D1 (de) 2002-08-14

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